UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has publicly called for Gianni Infantino to resign from his position as FIFA president, warning that the embattled leader faces a significant challenge to his authority. Despite the mounting pressure, Ceferin confirmed he is not interested in succeeding Infantino, citing his desire to remain at UEFA and a need to maintain his personal credibility.
The tension stems from Infantino’s controversial and now-abandoned proposal to secure private investment for FIFA-run tournaments, including the World Cup. This move has drawn sharp criticism from across the football landscape, leading UEFA to threaten a boycott of FIFA competitions. Several national and continental federations have also withdrawn their support for the FIFA president, who originally took office in 2016 with broad European backing.
Speaking on the podcast The Rest is Politics, the 58-year-old Slovenian official outlined two reasons for his refusal to seek the FIFA presidency. “I’m not interested because I love UEFA and I love working here, and I think that at a certain point… it’s time to also enjoy life a bit,” Ceferin stated. He added that his influence remains stronger if he is not viewed as a candidate for the role.
Ceferin, who noted he has not spoken to Infantino since the controversy began, believes the FIFA president’s position is no longer secure. He suggested that Infantino must either realize he lacks the necessary support from the global football community—including fans, players, and coaches—or prepare for a contested election at the upcoming FIFA Congress in Morocco this March.
Should Infantino choose to run for re-election, Ceferin anticipates a formal challenge. While he did not name a preferred successor, potential candidates for the role are widely considered to include CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani and AFC leader Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa.
The political friction was evident over the weekend in the Dominican Republic, where Infantino met with regional football officials. Reports indicate that Montagliani had requested Infantino avoid attending a youth tournament in the region, yet the FIFA president proceeded with his visit.
In a video statement released by FIFA on Sunday, the 56-year-old addressed the ongoing turmoil without naming specific critics. “It’s important to engage, to have a dialogue, to express views and opinions,” Infantino said. He described his recent meetings as positive, noting that he felt “very, very happy with all the support” he received during his trip. The report also notes that the 58-year-old Slovenian on Monday telling The Rest is Politics podcast: “I’m not interested because of two reasons, but Ceferin ruled himself out of a bid to take Infantino’s place. The report also notes that with Ceferin forecasting the Swiss will have to stand down or face a leadership challenge if he seeks re-election at the next FIFA Congress, in Morocco in March, he now believes Infantino’s previously impregnable position is under threat. The report also notes that infantino, a former UEFA secretary general, had the broad backing of European nations when he succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016.
